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Best Gun Belts: Concealed Carry, Range, & Battle [Tested]

Looking for the best gun belts for concealed carry, range, & battle that hold everything but still look normal? We've tested a bunch!

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Looking for the best gun belt for concealed carry?

It has to be sturdy to hold a loaded handgun plus an extra magazine, but can't be so tactical that it gives you away.

We've got you covered with some of the top brands out there. We've worn them for CCW, at the range, and during competitions -- and they rock.

Now, let's get started!

Gun Belt Comparison Chart

MaterialColorsSizesWidthPrice
Kore Essentials TacticalNylonBlack, gray, tan, ranger green, coyote, desert tiger stripe, frogskin, Multicam, Multicam tropic, Multicam arid, Multicam blackOne size covers waists 24 - 54"1.5"$64
Blue Alpha Hybrid EDCNylonBlack, wolf gray, coyote brown, OD greenPant sizes 28 - 481.5"$78
Daltech Bull BeltLeatherBlack, brown, tanPant size 32 - 601.25", 1.5"$49
Crossbreed Holsters Executive Gun BeltLeatherBlack, brown, gray, foundersPant size 28 - 661.25", 1.5"$59
Relentless TacticalLeatherBlack, brownPant size 28 - 481.5"$69
Nexbelt EDC Ratchet BeltNylon, leatherBlack, brown, gray, tan, white, blue, green, navy, purple, redOne size covers waists up to 45"1.5", 2.25"$49

How We Tested the Best Gun Belts

PSA Micro Dagger
Drawing the PSA Micro Dagger from concealment.

For this article, we gathered a bunch of CCW gun belts we've personally used, reviewed, and owned here at Pew Pew Tactical. The entire Pew Pew Tactical team, as well as freelance writers, contributed to this review to offer different opinions based on ergonomics, size, and experience.

For gun belts we have reviews on, we've linked those so you can read more.

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Best Gun Belts

1. Kore Essentials Tactical Gun Belt - Best Overall

Best Overall
Kore Essentials Tactical Gun Belt
Prices accurate at time of writing

Pros

  • Easy to adjust
  • Low profile buckle
  • Comfortable to wear

Cons

  • Very casual

Specs

  • Material: Nylon
  • Colors: Black, gray, tan, ranger green, coyote, desert tiger stripe, frogskin, Multicam, Multicam tropic, Multicam arid, Multicam black
  • Sizes: One size covers waists 24 - 54"
  • Width: 1.5"

My favorite concealed carry belt is the Kore Essentials Tactical Gun Belt with X7 Buckle.

Kore Essentials Belts
Kore Essentials Belts

It's super easy to get a perfect fit with its hidden ratcheting track system that creates continuous sizing in 0.25-inch increments.

I love that I'm able to size in and out throughout the day, depending on if I'm going to be standing, sitting, or driving a while, and want my holster to ride a little higher or lower on my abdomen.

Kore Essentials Hidden Track
Kore Essentials hidden track.

Since I wear untucked shirts all the time, I don't worry about a belt looking too tactical. But this one doesn't scream, "Gun," so can wear it with your shirt tucked in if you need to.

Kore makes a bunch of buckles and you can mix and match them with the brand's various belts. I like the X7 buckle since it's the most low-profile and doesn't create a bulge over an AIWB holster.

Kore Tactical Gun Belt P365 Top View
Top view of a Kore Tactical gun belt with a Sig Sauer P365.

If you need something more businesslike, check out their reinforced leather belts.

Kore's dress belts carry 4 pounds which is more than you need for most pistols. Again, they have a nice selection of buckles.

I've been wearing my leather belt for quite some time, and there are no noticeable scuff marks from any of my holsters.

Kore Essentials Leather Gun Belts
Prices accurate at time of writing

If you want to learn more, check out my review of Kore Essentials.

Use code PEWPEWTACTICAL to get 10% off your purchase!

What's your take on Kore? Rate it below.

Readers’ Ratings

4.98/5 (2385 Votes)

Your Rating

2. Blue Alpha Hybrid EDC Belt - Best Heavy-Duty Belt

Best Heavy-Duty Belt
Blue Alpha Hybrid EDC Belt
Prices accurate at time of writing

Pros

  • Cobra buckle
  • Easy to unbuckle and take off
  • Durable

Cons

  • Very tactical appearance

Specs

  • Material: Nylon
  • Colors: Black, wolf gray, coyote brown, OD green
  • Sizes: Pant sizes 28 - 28
  • Width: 1.5"

Want a heavy-duty gun belt you can wear every day? The Blue Alpha Hybrid EDC Belt blurs the line between battle belt and CCW belt.

Blue Alpha with Hidden Hybrid Holster
Blue Alpha with Hidden Hybrid Holster

One of its best features is the universally loved Cobra buckle. These aluminum buckles take thousands of pounds to break and are trusted by military, law enforcement, and rescue professionals.

Usually, the one drawback is a female end that's slightly larger than the belt so it won't fit through normal belt loops.

Blue Alpha Gear, Cobra vs Hybrid
Blue Alpha, Hybrid (Brown) and Regular (Gray)

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But the Hybrid belt solves this with a female end of the buckle that matches the 1.5-inch belt. This makes it a lot easier to put on and take off when you're not sporting 5.11 Tactical pants all day long.

Besides the Austrian Cobra buckle, everything else is made and assembled in the USA with a lifetime guarantee.

Blue Alpha, Made in the USA
Blue Alpha -- Made in the USA, baby!

If you're eating too much brisket (like me) the belt is adjustable up to 2 inches in either direction.

Want to fly under the radar a little easier?

Blue Alpha Gear EDC Belts
Blue Alpha EDC Belts (top to bottom): Hybrid, Regular, Low Profile EDC.

Check out Blue Alpha's Low Profile EDC, which relies on 1.5" webbing and a lightweight polymer slide buckle to keep the risk of printing to a minimum.

Blue Alpha Low Profile EDC
Prices accurate at time of writing

3. Daltech BullBelt - Best Leather Belt

Best Leather Belt
Daltech BullBelt
Prices accurate at time of writing

Pros

  • High quality leather
  • Stitching is good
  • Can withstand a lot of abuse

Cons

  • Thickest of all the belts we tried

Specs

  • Material: Leather
  • Colors: Black, brown, tan
  • Sizes: Pant size 32 - 60
  • Width: 1.25", 1.5"

The Daltech BullBelt was the thickest belt I tested, and I have no doubt will stand up to years of use and abuse. The price is fair, too.

CCW Gun Belt Thickness
CCW Gun Belt Thickness (L to R, Daltech, CrossBreed, CrossBreed, Relentless Tactical)

The leather is nice, and the stitching adds a classy touch. No one will be able to tell it's a gun belt. The sizing is also easy to figure out -- just add 2 inches to your normal belt size.

Keep in mind that, because it's so thick, it will sort of felt like a small hula hoop around your waist. You'll get used to it, though.

This might not be the best pick if you're carrying a small CCW pistol and a spare magazine. But if you're team full-size it will make carrying a lot more comfortable.

4. Crossbreed Holsters Executive Gun Belt - Best Dress Belt

Best Dress Belt
Crossbreed Holsters Executive Gun Belt
Prices accurate at time of writing

Pros

  • Sturdy leather
  • Quality stitching
  • Good for business attire

Cons

  • A little expensive

Specs

  • Material: Leather
  • Colors: Black, brown, gray, founders
  • Sizes: Pant size 28 - 66
  • Width: 1.25", 1.5"

I really like Crossbreed Holsters (see my review of the Best Concealed Carry Holsters), so I wanted to check out the Crosbreed Holsters Executive Gun Belt, as well.

If you dress like this, the Executive Gun Belt is for you.

The leather looks great -- suitable for the office or a nice restaurant. It's thinner than the BullBelt, so it didn't feel excessively rigid around my waist when I was wearing slacks. I sized up 2 inches above my normal pant size.

Pricing is a little steep, but you're paying for a more polished look. I especially like the understated CB logo on the Executive.

This is real leather, so expect it to creak with movement a little bit as it breaks in. After a few days, it will be nice and quiet.

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5. Relentless Tactical

Relentless Tactical Belt
Prices accurate at time of writing

Pros

  • Looks like a normal belt
  • Thinnest of the belts we tried
  • Sturdy

Cons

  • More basic than other brands

Specs

  • Material: Leather
  • Colors: Black, brown
  • Sizes: Pant size 28 - 48
  • Width: 1.5"

One of the first stealth-looking gun belts I got to test was the Relentless Tactical Belt.

Best CCW Gun Belts, Thickness
Some of our favorite CCW gun belts (top to bottom): Relentless Tactical, CrossBreed, CrossBreed, Daltech.

It's almost indistinguishable from a normal belt, except that it's strong enough to hold a loaded handgun and two mags.

Yet, somehow, it's the thinnest of the bunch. It fits the bill for people who don't want to wear an overly stiff gun belt every day. I ordered mine 4 inches larger than my normal waist size.  

The Relentless Belt is what I would recommend for a no-frills concealed carry belt that can double as a regular belt.

6. Nexbelt EDC Ratchet Belt

Nexbelt EDC Ratchet Belt
Prices accurate at time of writing

Pros

  • Easy ratchet sizing
  • Very comfortable
  • Sturdy

Cons

  • Buckle system is a bit stiff

Specs

  • Material: Nylon, leather
  • Colors: Black, brown, gray, tan, white, blue, navy, purple, red
  • Sizes: One size covers waists up to 45"
  • Width: 1.5", 2.25"

Looking for another belt like the Kore that can adjust easily on the fly? Check out the Nexbelt EDC Ratchet Belt.

Nexbelt - Track System
Nexbelt's track system.

Unlike the Kore, the Nexbelt uses a magnet to hold the belt in position. The system to release the track and adjust to a larger size was slightly stiffer than the Kore.

Nexbelt - Pew Pew Logo Green Shirt
A Nexbelt EDC Ratchet Belt with a snazzy Pew Pew Tactical buckle.

They also have an Appendix Carry option that has a smaller buckle to make AIWB a little bit easier.

How to Pick the Best Gun Belt

Choosing a gun belt basically comes down to two things: style and support.

Of course, we also recommend checking each manufacturers sizing instructions to make sure you get a proper fit. Remember, your gun belt has to fit around your waist and a holster.

Style

If you're buying a battle belt to open-carry with at the range, feel free to buy whatever high-speed tactical gear you want.

Blue Alpha Battle Belt with Accessories
Great battle belt. Terrible CCW belt.

If your belt is for concealed carry, it needs to be more discreet.

What kind of clothes will you be wearing? A nylon gun belt looks great with a pair of jeans or board shorts. If you're dressing up with slacks and a jacket, you need a leather dress belt to match.

Support

Your gun belt needs to be strong enough to support your handgun and potentially extra ammo without sagging. That's why you don't want a normal belt in the first place.

SIG Sauer P365 X-MACRO_055-1
The Sig Sauer P365 is light enough to work with any gun belt.

If you carry a micro-compact handgun like the Sig Sauer P365, any gun belt will do. Those pistols are super lightweight.

If you carry a metal-framed pistol or revolver, you're going to need more support.

Meet the Experts

This article comes to you from Pew Pew Tactical Founder and CEO Eric Hung. Eric is an NRA-certified pistol instructor and a USPSA, 3-Gun, and NRL22 competitor. He has also researched and written over 250 articles on firearms and gear. He brings this expertise to this article, offering his perspective on gun belts for concealed carry and training at the range.

Eric Hung, Pew Pew Tactical founder and CEO.

Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

Final Thoughts

A good belt can make or break a concealed carry setup. Not to mention, make things more comfortable.

Staccato CS draw
A good gun belt can even support a heavy pistol like the Staccato CS.

But we think you can't go wrong with one of the suggestions above.

Which one did you choose? Or do you have another candidate for the best concealed carry belt? And if you don't have a go-to holster yet...check out our Best Holsters for Concealed Carry.

Latest Updates

May 2025: Added comparison chart and Meet the Experts section. Updated supporting content.

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Written By

Eric Hung

Eric Hung

Founder, CEO

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I'm Eric Hung, the founder of Pew Pew Tactical, and I love guns. For over 10 years I've been soaking up as much information as possible online, in competitions, classes, and from my own testing. Now I hope to bring that info to you! I've written over 250 articles on Pew Pew Tactical that are read by millions a month. I'm also an NRA certified pistol instructor and avid USPSA/3-Gun/NRL22 competitor. Learn more at About Us.

WHY YOU CAN TRUST PEW PEW TACTICAL

Since 2016, the Pew Pew Tactical team has been dedicated to providing expert reviews and in-depth testing of guns and gear. All while keeping in mind that guns are fun and that readers come first.

Written by American gun enthusiasts, competitive shooters, former military/law enforcement personnel, and trained journalists, we use our extensive skill sets and knowledge to bring a well-rounded, researched approach to our content.

We pride ourselves on hands-on testing and real-world experience with all products we recommend. Further, we believe in objectivity and approaching all articles without bias – our few advertisers never influence our reviews or recommendations. We believe in giving our readers a comprehensive understanding of how and why a product is great – or isn’t. And if it’s good enough for us to use ourselves and recommend to loved ones.

Our content, analysis, and insights on firearms and gear are recognized across the web. We are proud to be cited by authoritative third-party platforms including Newsweek, Yahoo News, and Wikipedia, demonstrating our standing as a trusted resource in the firearms industry.

Conversation

186 Comments

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  • So I ended up getting a leather Kore belt with a X3 gunmetal buckle. It makes it an easy on and off when needed. It is sturdy durable belt for concealed carry. The belt looks good all the way around and the clicks makes it even better. Make kore belts your choice you won't regret it. Thank you Jody whaley
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  • Love these Kore belts! Mine's replacing a cobra belt that kept stretching and causing my gun and gear to slide down my backside after any physical activity. Kore's ratcheting system allows me quick adjustment when it’s lunchtime!
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  • Late addition to say thanks for this article, which I always come back to when considering a bit of gear.

    Just received the Daltech Bullbelt and there's zero problem threading through pancake holsters.

    It is thick, but supple. Really not much difference in "wearability" to me than the other leather belts I'm used to wearing.

    No, I'll never become a convert to nylon tactical belts, but I'm glad to know about them and also to have good information about traditional leather belts.

    Thanks!
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  • Kore CCW belts are my favorite. The quality is superb and the belt is beautiful. You just can't go wrong with Kore belts.
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  • In terms of the Kore belt, it is a very solid belt! I wear it with or without carrying. Big fan!
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  • Check out the Ares Gear Aegis Belt, Gen 2. It’s a 1.5” double layer of scuba webbing, great buckle, and is very stiff. I wore one for years when I was in the FBI, and I still wear it in retirement. It will easily support a 1911, two spare magazines, and handcuffs all day long in jeans, tactical pants, or shorts, and is still comfortable without being bulky. Also veteran owned and made in America.
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  • Kramer horsehide double thickness is my go to since I was in my 20's. I am now in my 60's.

    Most expensive but will last about a decade before has to be replaced

    Customer service is excellent. My lab chewed the end, sent it back to them and they fixed it up: free. They even sent some scrap leather for her to chew on instead of the belt. Lost a bunch of weight and belt was way too big but still carried a Glock 17 well. Sent it back and they shortened it: free. Just ordered my 4th one in 4 decades
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    • Brad

      Ditto. You don’t hear much about Kramer, but their horsehide holsters and belts last forever if you take care of them. I have been wearing Kramer since I began my federal law enforcement career in 1996. Their double thickness horsehide belts work great with suits as well.
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  • Agree, my Nexbelt has broken the inner liner in front and behind where I carry my 365 XL. Under 3 years old.
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  • Had the same thing happened to mine twice and then the piece the pin wraps around bent and stretched letting the pin fall through the buckle.
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  • The main problem with a belt is the buckle. Bought that Cross Breed and within a month the arm that goes through the hole snapped be made of some cast material. They replaced it no problem but the next one snapped to. Had to buy a different buckle for a expensive belt.
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  • i ordered a Steel Core Ultimate Concealed Carry Belt from Relentless Tactical with a lifetime guarantee. The inside layer of leather has cracked all the way across thru to the top layer of leather. I love the belt because of the steel core but their 100% guarantee is a real pain. No one answers their phone and they do not return calls. Their web site for returns is not clear and has wrong return options. So far it has been a real pain trying to get the belt fixed or replaced. Because of them making it very difficult i would not recommend to buy anything from them.
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